How To Assemble an Engine Block with Upgrades!

Putting together an engine block means installing pistons, a crank shaft, and bearings. Today we will also be installing new piston rings, and all new bearings on the bottom end of a VR6 engine. We are also upgrading the main bolts and main bearings. Also upgraded rod bearings and connecting rod bolts, Assembling an engine block is also much easier if you have all the proper engine assembly tools. #humblemechanic #r32 #vr6
___Items Used Today___
R32 Connecting Rod Upgrades ~ bit.ly/30EiZ9g
R32 Main Studs ~ amzn.to/2PT0dZr
R32 Main Bearings ~ bit.ly/3eyyuYyGW Mobile Box ~ homedepot.sjv.io/9WWMX0
3/8 Drive 120XP Torque Wrench ~ amzn.to/3cocwon
GW Teardown Cart ~ homedepot.sjv.io/155Dma
GEARWRENCH 3/8 Flexhead drive Ratchet ~ amzn.to/38vH2v6 (this is the kit, it's a better value)
GEARWRENCH 1/2 Fixed Ratchet ~ homedepot.sjv.io/zaaeWO (3 ratchet kit)
Stubby GEARWRENCH 3/8 ratchet ~ homedepot.sjv.io/zaaeWO
Stubby GEARWRENCH 3/8 ratchet ~ amzn.to/30E9PJD (check prices, found it goes 1/2 price on Amazon)
Dial Bore Gauge ~ amzn.to/3qGS1IH
VR6 Engine Mount Adapter ~ bit.ly/3bGHFEh
Engine Assembly Lube ~ amzn.to/3eAGB6G
Plasti Gauge ~ amzn.to/30Befkv
Marvel Mystery Oil ~ amzn.to/3rIsdgj
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~~~~ Recommended Tools ~~~~
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Impact driver ~ amzn.to/2HsxS2H
Small Impact driver ~ amzn.to/2DZdsMN
Electric ratchet ~ amzn.to/2FydxMS
Magnetic tray ~ amzn.to/2FEpQ6g
Basic hand tools ~ amzn.to/2GnjF7K
Box wrench set ~ amzn.to/2FzoJch
ScrewDriver set ~ amzn.to/2FEjcgd
Shop towels ~ amzn.to/2FC7UgM
Allen Sockets ~ amzn.to/2GlcnAz
Torx Sockets ~ amzn.to/2pL0SfL
~~~~ Playlists ~~~~
Humble Mechanic Podcasts ~ • The Humble Mechanic Po...
Project White Wookie ~ • MK3 VR6 GTI Project Car
Failed VW parts videos ~ • How VW Parts Fail
Tool and Product Reviews ~ • Tool and Product Reviews
How To videos ~ • How To Fix Your Car
MK1 VR6 Swap Videos ~ • VR6 Engine Swap MK1 Ca...
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disclaimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Next up for the R32 we will get the head bolted up, and do two timing videos. One with stock chains, and one with HG spacer!!! Also many of you ask about why no upgrade to pistons and rods. GREAT Questions! At some point I have to stop with the car. HPA and I had several long chats about this. They have tons of cars running around with HIGH HP, on stock internals for the R32. The beauty is, they are right, or wrong, and we get to find out. HAHA. Time will tell.

[@eddiemichael4333]

BIG THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATIVE CLIP.

[@notsponsored103]

HPA?

[@kevinyoung8613]

@@notsponsored103 HPA Motorsports - VW/Audi performance tuning company

[@nickguerra1905]

Love the video my brother update btw valve cover gasket went on 2.0 replaced an then replaced the plugs an also the 02 sensors no problems no check engine light hell yeah btw u need to take the new race build to the freedom factory i hear the bald eagles screaming now

[@nickguerra1905]

An also in the sprit of cleetus can that thang do a burnout 🔥

[@matisoDC]

Haha soapy woody. Love the Chris fix shout out.

[@UltraGamma25]

Timestamp??

[@HumbleMechanic]

It happens more than once!

[@UltraGamma25]

@@HumbleMechanic Ooh

[@Trohawkk]

@@UltraGamma25 6:59:59

[@oxidizedolive]

I don't think it was "soapy woody" that's a very different thing right there...

[@ConquerDriving]

Brilliant video! I love watching people disassemble and reassemble engines.

[@datgamerboy123]

Same man, same. So satisfying.

[@MikeCheckBiloxi]

You and me both my guy...oh, and datgamerboy as well

[@TH3L3G3ND]

@@MikeCheckBiloxi me too

[@notsponsored103]

The perfect video for reminding you why you spent all that money paying somebody else to do this. 😆

[@iamtheteddy24]

Absolutely admire the surgical precision with which you work. This is one of my favorite channels for that very reason. You can tell you have a passion for these cars.

[@fedor5664]

The best thing is how he has everything organized after such a long time, i can't wait for the transmission rebuilt!

[@ThunderAppeal]

Be quiet you idiot.

[@magnetic0314]

Just a note that with the engine upside down, the plasti-gauge on the engine side of the journals is redundant. You're measuring a clearance, so the crank is already sitting hard against the engine side bearing surface. The only plasti-gauge indication that will be accurate is on the top side (main cap side) of the bearing journals

[@matthewguerra5410]

Love the in depth on assembly, great job

[@adventureswithmichael6589]

Couldn't agree more!!

[@skepticaldaddoesstuff2334]

Ok, I've never watched an engine build before and you sir, had my attention from start to finish. Time to start looking for a R32 to rebuild.

[@Balomis]

This is a fantastic video Charles, thanks so much for putting it together! Stoked to see where this project goes I've been wanting to build a fresh 2.0 PD TDI longblock for a while and this just makes me want to do it even more.

[@brettspaulding5855]

I use arp when I can. But, I'm starting to find that unless the block has enough beef for the increased load it's not necessarily worth the extra cost unless you plan on frequently disassembling the engine. I always use arp for connecting rods. But, for mains and heads I'm not convinced unless you are springing for a stud upgrade.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Exactly!!! HPA runs stock! They said they never had one fail. Haha next time I’ll be doing stock for sure

[@RuGCo1]

This is really in depth. I love it. Thanks Charles.

[@AllenZee]

Bro, that was absolutely therapeutic. Engine loving - is the best kind of love making. WELL DONE !!!!!

[@owleeva]

Great seeing you assemble my favorite engine of all time, the VR6. I can't wait for the first crank. Great job Charles! ;) You're truly an encyclopedia.

[@intraxx88]

This is what people should watch in mechanic classes

[@stan749]

Am new in the industry and i learn something new everytime from you much love all the way from Namibia

[@Jehron]

Many thanks for doing this video and going into depth. 1st time rebuilding my engine, just waiting on the machine shop to finish my block so I'll definitely use this as reference and the shop manual.

[@monsterq6]

Cleaning off the plastiguage just gives you that warm and fuzzy satisfied feeling of a clean engine

[@GEARWRENCHTools]

Nice work Charles! Great to see that 120XP Torque Wrench at work! #GEARWRENCH #ForgeAhead

[@nathanwilliam1922]

So much satisfaction putting your own engine together. I’m in the process of building my own vr right now.

[@Goazbox]

Such valuable info. Again, so much kudos for our humble mechanic!!! These details are what make an engine run so excellent.

[@user-yl1zp5kp5k]

Hello HumbleMechanic. Certainly you professional. Also you can lubricate the bolt head or nut in contact point with cylinder block . This is facilitate slip when the threaded joint tightened.Only way you will get accuracy when the threaded joint is tightened dynamometric wrench with the lowest resistance.

[@BeeShopcs]

i wish all workshop even the dealer are working the same like you in this much details

[@tjardokiewiet9115]

love to watch your engine assemblies, always very informative

[@hopingforthebest1.9]

Its kind of surprising how many stock components can be kept on this engine while still handling a decent amount of power

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep awesome I think

[@mihailpetrovici5044]

and also suprising how expensive aftermarket components are

[@petecurran3995]

Masterclass in attention to detail! Awesome work, Charles! 💪🏻👌🏻

[@mcimacdonald]

Fantastic video. Oh I love watching the pistons go up and down too. Very satisfying. Something you don't get to see once it's all back together. Love your work my man👍

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

Very impressed with your meticulous attention to detail, Mr. Sanville. Well done!

[@jp2246]

My early afternoon tasty coffee and an engine build video!

[@HumbleMechanic]

YES!!!

[@jennifurzoe1302]

8 p.m. East L.A. beers and watch.

[@jp2246]

@@jennifurzoe1302 ha ha!

[@mxney8867]

about to rebuild my first engine, n/a to turbo conversion for a vg, super intimidating for me but that’s what makes the outcome even more interesting and fun , thank for the video, definitely contributed to my confidence

[@scottpeters1142]

Absolutely the best. Thank you for the full walkthrough con this

[@1of437]

Excellent video series. Very informative and easy to watch. Much respect.

[@donellis6774]

I'm probably about as fluent in the SAAB world as you are with VWs. We recently purchased two VWs with the 2.0T TSI engine (2011 Tiguan and 2013 GLI) so I started following you when the PCV started to go on our GLI. Now I'm deep into this R32 build wanting to find my other half a VR6 Jetta as a project car and show vehicle so thank you for all of the content. You have been a saving grace and an inspiration. You also turned me on to two great VW guys within 30 mins of me in this series as I'm located in Reading PA just outside of Pottstown where you bought the transmission at. Haha small world.

[@jimamizzi1]

Excellent video Charles, reinforcing clean clean & clean again. Australian fan.

[@billasohyeah]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for your work.

[@joshuahawkins2548]

As always, awesome video. Im not that far for my build yet, but will definitely reference this when i get to this point. Thank you bearded bandit, you're the man

[@jasonkelley6185]

Just pouring your love into that engine. Love it.

[@AP9311]

Wow, this is pure ASMR watch lol. I love it the build! Great job, Charles!

[@austinpfoster]

Great use of the word "overcomeable".

[@moparorange]

Whomever disliked this should not be here, because it was an awesome video on engine building.

[@iMann_iFail]

Majority of Dislikes are done by bots, dude :)

[@DonryuRaiden]

Strange video. A informative porn. 🤔 I see what you did here and I am fascinated. I love your style and your videos. You are one of the PQ34 Gurus🤘 Keep up the awesome work! Thank you a lot from Germany.👍

[@michaelblacktree]

36:28 - Watching the pistons do their thing is mesmerizing.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I watched that so many times. HAHA

[@ahotdj07]

@36:30 I love seeing the pistons go up and down as well. I love seeing how an engine works.

[@patkelly7999]

Good job Charles, coming together nicely:):)

[@FrankieGRAI]

Man, Charles, you are the VR6 guru! The best guide ever.

[@thirdgeargrind8033]

It was really cool seeing my ARP suspicions on VR6 confirmed. I once built a motor where I took on ARP's advice and had my rods resized. Awhile later, I decided to do the 1 out 1 in method, ARP, 40 ftlbs, no resizing. Worked just the same. Also high mileage ring gap. People believe high mileage motors have more ring gap and are better for boost... no no no. These people have never actually measured one. I measured one, 220k miles, well maintained. It came out exactly to what your refreshed block was, 0.13" top ring 0.16" second ring, with some bores having just barley 0.14" on the top ring. Keep up all this awesome content Charles! Looking forward to the w8 tear down!

[@mortaljorma69]

Damn man, you are doing fantastic content. Thank you.

[@shaggymeme1268]

I’ve been hesitant about building my 24v vr6 because I’m afraid I won’t get it back together. This video is so easy to follow! Thanks for posting 😁

[@dantemagz6672]

great detailed video! keep it up man, you're an inspiration

[@aaronpeople101]

good note on the align hone part, it is also nice to have it done to also ensure the bores are still in alignment. a used block can potentially shift around over time with use so the crank can potentially spin better and have more consistent clearance from journal to journal if an align hone has been performed.

[@eugeneballaigues7530]

Rebuilt my B8 Audi 1.8t engine by following your videos. Onto rebuilding an mk5 r32 motor + turbo and putting into my mk4 :) Waiting in anticipation for the next one Charles. Love the content.

[@neiloconnor9349]

Love the Frog Tape on the engine block. Also a fan of Marvel Mystery oil. It smells vaguely of mint or menthol -- possibly methyl salicylate.

[@dserious111]

Great video. Especially since I’m upgrading my engine. Thx!

[@billyjoe3309]

Hell of a job, but this engine will run so well after all that work. One day I'm gonna build my first engine, I'm gonna take real good time to do it. It's gonna be a full winter project!

[@sneakybaster]

Love the video! Great information to help others so the same. Can't wait to see a 2.0 MK7 engine build 😏😁

[@zeus9855]

What’s up chuck? Glad your working on that thing and not me. That plastic gauge stuff has been around a long time handy stuff to use.waste of time to use on a VW it’s a lick it and stick it type engine. Of course if your going to blow it and your trying to learn the neophytes and you be the one knowing it’s okay to go thru the extra trouble. Good video chuck!

[@MrPecarro]

Excelent, can't wait for the next video. Thanks

[@oleksandrmenko5276]

Dude you the GOAT I will have beginning to end step by step how to boost my r32 properly and assembling bottom end my self

[@initialspeed]

Love it. Thanks for the video.👍🏾

[@Aimenonze]

i have fun watching you build the engine ❤

[@only88mph]

Wicked video! So in depth! (:

[@jokerscape]

Loved this video just wish I had a block to follow along with ya

[@brettb.7425]

He build engines almost exactly like I do down to the same assembly lube. Great video!

[@VEKYR900]

wow so clean.... you are awsome and VR6 ... love it the engine.... :)

[@CarlosGlatzos976]

Very smooth explanation, good video. Now I want to rebuild an engine, too. Should better not 😅 but it looks so "easy" when you do it. Cheers! 🤘

[@karinawashere]

this was awesome to watch. very similar to what I do at my new job that you helped me score! 😎

[@HumbleMechanic]

That is awesome!!!

[@tomthompson7400]

fine job , well done and well explained .

[@borisatanasov8562]

Awesome video! Greetings from Bulgaria :) I'm waiting for the next video!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Swing by my channel. A bunch more since this one. None on the S10 because that was a one video thing

[@renebuesa554]

Hello HumbleMec, a few months ago I built my VW MK3 2.0L and made use of RaceWare studs for the main bearing caps, ARP connecting rod bolts and STD bearings all a round. I was aware of the recommended RaceWare and ARP torque settings but these figures far exceeded VW's torque settings so I decided to totally ignore the aftermarket torque numbers and use only VW's settings. My logic was that if I'm using the same STD bearings all around I know I can't apply exceedingly higher torque numbers because this would deliver clamping forces on bearings not originally designed for. Knowing that my engine worked perfectly fine with VW's original torque settings and engine bearings I opted not to chance it and stick with OEM torque parameters. In the end the engine build has been a total success and engine performance is fantastic only requiring going back to a thinner motor oil to properly lubricate all brand new bearings and cylinder block components. This approach saved me a ton of time and unnecessary expenditures on tools and parts.... you can't go wrong with proven engine torque settings.

[@RC-fe9py]

Nice work!

[@abdelazizallali27382]

Good luck.i like what you do.and enjoying watching the videos . Peace

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

I've never built an engine so maybe stop me, but... I recently learned you want a *slightly* larger ring gap for ring #2 (maybe .001-.002" larger). Manufacturers have started doing this to avoid an increase in compression between the rings, causing a ring land failure - the idea being you're better off potentially having slight blowby. I was curious if this was something you or others were familiar with.

[@tostadorafuriosa69]

Great video, you are so knowledgeable about VW engines and know how to explain very well.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you

[@redzone5655]

Fantastic, educative! Thanks for sharing!

[@skitzvitz]

A good bottom end is very important not just on engines :) . Fantastic video .

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahahha yesss

[@35057]

Dude. Stubby ratchets are BOSS!! 🤘🏻😎😎

[@MrDanielSoliz]

Awesome content, I watch your videos to learn how to make videos.

[@iswinkels]

Nice techniques. The first time I've seen someone de-bur the inside edges of pistons rings to prevent them nicking the ring lands. I've found that ATF works to clean/lift honing debris from cylinder bores nicely, if you cant get marvel mystery oil.

[@sonsrc1326]

Sweet build mate love the r32

[@FaysalBDev]

wow, im tired and confused just by watching! how can you do it and still manage to film in such details and high quality. Thank you for all your efforts

[@JustinBone]

This gives me the confidence to maybe do my own engine when the time comes on my TT RS. Hopefully not for a very, very long time hahaha

[@ZloB1N]

Haha, that soapy wooder gets me all the time :D

[@kobrynkamai2076]

never get enough of these videos

[@volkengaming-alexbogdan2880]

AWESOMEEEE step by step, u did it awesome like u invented it :O nicee

[@kennethd7048]

Man.. I thought you were MIA.. it's nice to see you back!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks! Ive been working so much and im still behind. HAHAH TONS of behind the scenes stuff going on. BUT it will be worth it

[@ark-mark1]

Audi performance and racing, APR has very good stuff that is researched in cooperation with the VAG factory wizards. Downside is that there is relatively few APR parts on the market and they´d rather also build the cars in APR certified garages so that´s possibly not the best trademark for a DIY guy. I ran with OEM clutch and cam timing belt 10 years and 100 000 Miles with mostly just the basic maintenance like regular oil change with the stage 1 + that is 450 to 480 Nm and from 330 to 370 horse power differing on the fuel and air temp etc. Do a 2.0 FSI/TFSI engine next please.

[@Stony_sparks]

Engines are just awesome.

[@Mark-th1gn]

This quality of video reminds me of how do they do it on Discovery channel. Great stuff.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you!

[@CorradoAlley]

On the Main bearings where the thrust washers are apart of the main bearing my old machine shop didn't like them for manual transmission cars. They preferred the separate thrust washers because this allows for another surface for oil to go and absorb some of the thrust.

[@arman7839]

Great work well done. I have done 150 1fz toyota land cruiser engine I never clean it like that

[@andyr5937]

Great work, really top notch. Love how meticulous you are in your work. Lots of useful tips should I need to do similar work on my golf 4 r32. Dumb question, but are you using triple square socket on the crankshaft? Really hard to find those in Europe.

[@dahoubilel2552]

like your videos. I learned so much from them

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you!

[@BenState]

i love the CFI references to soapy water :)

[@AJ-eg8lp]

Great video

[@HumbleMechanic]

thank you!

[@Gargoilunit]

Great video learnt a lot 👍

[@McHighler]

Awesome video

[@Kyle900t]

That was awesome.

[@Daryll_Flaro]

Great video, Charles!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks!

[@gearhead3500]

Perfect 👌

[@LOJ_Ministries]

Automotive Student right here ! Fastest like ever !

[@johndoe2022]

Great video as always man. greetings from Israel